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Objective: Know and understand the function of the parts of the eye.

Overview: The eye is a small but intricate organ with several components working together. Each component has its own function as light passes through the eye into the brain where the visual information is processed. It is helpful to understand the areas and functions of the eye because disorders are specific to a particular part of the eye.

Objective:  Understand refractive errors that impact visual acuity and how they are corrected.

Overview: Refraction is the focus of light rays. For clear vision the light rays should focus on the macula of the retina in the back of the eye. Refractive errors are the most common eye problem, generally known as nearsightedness and farsightedness. Most people will need vision correction at some point in their lives. Even with 20/20 vision, the ideal standard for visual acuity, the aging process does impact the shape of the eye and flexibility of the lens. Around age 40 to 50 close-up tasks such as reading become more difficult to do without vision correction.

Objective: Instill importance of proper contact lens usage and consequences of misuse.

Overview: Contacts are a correction for a refractive error which is worn directly on the cornea. Contacts are available in rigid gas permeable lenses or soft lenses.

Objective: Understand the risk factors, manifestation and prognosis of eye diseases and disorders that primarily affect adults.

Overview:  Under age 40, the primary causes of blindness are childhood disorders or accidents. The aging eye poses new challenges. The four primary conditions adults must be alert to are:

• Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Cataracts
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Glaucoma

According to the latest research from Prevent Blindness and the National Eye Institute, of the 130 million Americans over the age of 40, 30 million suffer from one of these disorders.

Objective: Breakdown limiting beliefs about vision loss and understand that resources are available.

Overview: Low vision is vision loss that can’t be corrected with glasses, contacts or surgery. Vision tools and/or treatment can improve daily living for those with vision loss greater than 20/200. Low vision experts specialize in providing services such as education and rehabilitation, as well as work and social integration. Too many people suffer from loneliness and isolation because they are unaware that resources are available to them.

Objective: Understand that eye accidents happen quickly and learn how to minimize injuries.
Preparation is the only safeguard.

Overview: We often take our home for granted because we feel safe and secure in familiar surroundings. We can become lax about home safety with little thought of hazards in our environment but accidents can happen very quickly. An otherwise useful household object, gardening tool or even a toy can suddenly become dangerous.

Objective: Understand that accidents happen quickly and learn how to minimize injuries.

Overview: Workplaces across the country are certainly safer than a few decades ago thanks to government agencies such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and many others. Additionally, each industry has its own unique regulations to protect workers and the public. Despite these precautions, the workplace accounts for approximately 20,000 eye injuries every year. Each year nearly 10,000 of these injuries will be disabling, resulting in temporary or permanent vision loss.  Being conscious of potential hazards and being proactive about securing the environment are essential to assure vision safety.

Objective: Understand the risks associated with sports and understand the benefits of wearing the appropriate eye protection.

Overview: Living an active lifestyle often includes participating in individual or competitive sports. Whether with an organized league or simply a neighborhood pick-up basketball game, protective eyewear should be worn. Hospital emergency rooms treat almost 20,000 sports-related eye injuries every year.  These are only the injuries that are reported. Injuries treated in doctor’s offices and Clinics go unreported in the overall statistics. The actual number is estimated to be two to three times greater. With appropriate protective eyewear. 90% of these eye injuries are preventable.

Objective: Understand how good health is an important part of good vision.

Overview: Healthy behaviors such as staying active, eating healthy foods, avoiding smoking, and protecting your eyes from the sun can lower your risk of eye disease and vision loss.